Facilitators and barriers to advance care planning implementation in Australian aged care settings: A systematic review and thematic analysis.

OBJECTIVES: There are many studies investigating implementation of advance care planning (ACP) in aged care around the world, but few studies have investigated Australian settings. The objective of this study was to determine facilitators and barriers to implementation of ACP in Australian residential and community aged care.

METHODS: Evidence from Australian studies published between 2007 and September 2017 of ACP in residential and community aged care was sourced from electronic databases using predetermined search strategies. Data were extracted and synthesised using thematic analysis, and summarised according to themes.

RESULTS: Nine studies described facilitators and barriers of ACP implementation. Six themes were identified: "Education and Knowledge," "Skills and Training," "Procedures and Resources," "Perceptions and Culture," "Legislation" and "Systems."

CONCLUSIONS: A whole of systems approach is necessary to facilitate uptake of ACP in residential aged care settings. More research is needed to understand facilitators and barriers to ACP in community aged care.